Heavy object head protection device

ABSTRACT

A two-sided device having a front impact rest and polymer, and a backside of a padding material made of material designed to protect an individual&#39;s face and/or head during exercise or other activities and can be mounted, fit against, or fit over the head of the user that is both safe and comfortable.

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. non-provisional application Ser. No. 17/192,037 filed on Mar. 4, 2021 and which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.

COPYRIGHT NOTICE

A portion of the disclosure of this patent contains material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent files or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a protection device for use during weight lifting or other objects near the head. In particular, it relates to the protection of the face and head during weight lifting activities or other activities involving objects near the head.

Description of Related Art

The art and science of weight lifting goes back centuries. Movement/exercise using free weighted objects either by themselves or by using a controlled machine approach is designed for building strength and endurance for whichever muscles are being used. Weight lifting relies on repetitive movements with a weight which results in a strengthening of the muscles doing the movements.

One continuing problem with weight lifting is the danger of injury by being hit by a dropped weight/heavy object or an errant movement during use. This can easily result in bruising, dislocations, broken bones, and/or organ damage. Depending on the severity of the injury, recovery from the injury can be quick, take a long period of time, or result in a permanent injury.

Of particular note, the head is the most vulnerable part of the body during weight lifting. This becomes especially acute when the exercise involves placing a weight or any other object on or near the head or face. An accident involving the head or face may result in broken bones, eye damage, teeth damage, and the like. It can also lead to a brain injury or even death, if the brain injury is severe. Unfortunately, there is no device to aid in protecting the head which is both comfortable and safe.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a device to be worn on the face or head of a user which protects the user from injury due to objects near the head. In addition to weight lifting, anything near the head for attachment or placement is also contemplated.

Accordingly, in one embodiment, there is a protection device for attachment to or for use on at least a portion of the head of a user, using a heavy object near the user's head comprising:

-   -   a) a two-sided base having a front-side and a back-side;     -   b) the front side of the base comprising an impact resist         polymer;     -   c) the back-side of the base covered with a padding material;         and     -   d) wherein the device is designed to fit on the head of the         user.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a frontal view of the base of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a frontal view of the second side of the device with suction cups of the present invention used as padding material.

FIG. 3 is a rear view of the second side of the device of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the device of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a user using the device of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

While this invention is susceptible to embodiment in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings, and will herein be described in detail, specific embodiments with the understanding that the present disclosure of such embodiments is to be considered as an example of the principles and not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments shown and described. In the description below, like reference numerals are used to describe the same, similar, or corresponding parts in the several views of the drawings. This detailed description defines the meaning of the terms used herein and specifically describes embodiments in order for those skilled in the art to practice the invention. cl DEFINITIONS

The terms “about” and “essentially” mean ±10 percent.

The terms “a” or “an”, as used herein, are defined as one or as more than one. The term “plurality”, as used herein, is defined as two or as more than two. The term “another”, as used herein, is defined as at least a second or more. The terms “including” and/or “having”, as used herein, are defined as comprising (i.e., open language). The term “coupled”, as used herein, is defined as connected, although not necessarily directly, and not necessarily mechanically.

The term “comprising” is not intended to limit inventions to only claiming the present invention with such comprising language. Any invention using the term comprising could be separated into one or more claims using “consisting” or “consisting of” claim language and is so intended.

Reference throughout this document to “one embodiment”, “certain embodiments”, “an embodiment”, or similar terms means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearances of such phrases in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments without limitation.

The term “or”, as used herein, is to be interpreted as an inclusive or meaning any one or any combination. Therefore, “A, B, or C” means any of the following: “A; B; C; A and B; A and C; B and C; A, B, and C”. An exception to this definition will occur only when a combination of elements, functions, steps, or acts are in some way inherently mutually exclusive.

The drawings featured in the figures are for the purpose of illustrating certain convenient embodiments of the present invention and are not to be considered as limitation thereto. The term “means” preceding a present participle of an operation indicates a desired function for which there is one or more embodiments, i.e., one or more methods, devices, or apparatuses for achieving the desired function and that one skilled in the art could select from these or their equivalent in view of the disclosure herein, and use of the term “means” is not intended to be limiting.

As used herein, the term “user” refers to any individual who is utilizing heavy objects near their head. In one embodiment, the user is a weight lifter using heavy weights.

As used herein, the term “attachment to or for use on” refers to the option of actually attaching the device to the head, including the face of a user, or in the alternative, just laying the device where it is needed on the face or head of the user during heavy weight use.

As used herein, the term “head” refers to the face, or the rest of the head structure, all of the above, or, in some embodiments, the nearby structure of the neck of the user.

As used herein, the term “exercise” refers to a user taking one or more heavy objects such as weight lifter weights, and doing repetitive motions in order to strengthen the muscles involved in the repetitive motions. Such exercise involves either resting the heavy object on a user's head or face, or in other embodiments, exercising so close to a user's head so as to pose a threat of injury to their head. By other devices it is meant that any heavy item, device, or the like can be used on or near the protection device.

As used herein, the term “two-sided base” refers to a material having a front side and a backside designed to be placed on the head of the user. A front side is comprised of an impact-resistant polymer, such as poly carbonate, polyphenyl sulfone, acrylonitrate butadiene styrene, ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene, and the like. The backside is covered with a padding material designed to rest against the head of the user; examples include Styrofoam, suction cups, padded soft material and the like. The base can be designed for application to just a portion of the user's head, such as the face, or it could be a hooded type device designed to fit over the head of the user. Where a portion of the device sits on the face, it can optionally have cutouts for eyes, nose, and mouth.

As used herein, the term “material having a plurality of suction cups” refers to a plastic sheet having a plurality of suction cups placed or molded into the plastic in spaced apart relationships. While any size suction cups are contemplated depending on the use, in one embodiment, the suction cups have a half inch to an inch and a half diameter and the space between suction cups are one half of an inch to about two inches. Refer to the figures for an example of such material. This material can be utilized to provide comfort against the head for its cushioning effect from an impact.

As used herein, the term “padding material” refers to a soft material-like foam, carpeting, cloth, styrofoam, suction cups, or the like that is attached to the backside of the two-sided base opposite the material having an impact resistant front side. It is positioned against the head of the user for comfort and cushioning if the heavy object hits the head.

As used herein, the term “attachment device” refers to an attachment to the device, which can optionally be used to position and hold the device in place on the face or head; for example, elastic bands, straps, clips, and the like are contemplated.

DRAWINGS

Now referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 is a frontal view of the two-sided base of the present invention. The base 1 has cut-outs 2 for eyes, nose, and mouth. It also has straps 3 for attaching the device to the face or to itself around the user's head. It is made from an impact resistant polymer 21 on the outer side.

FIG. 2 depicts a view of a back side of the two-sided base covered with padding. In this embodiment, suction cups that are 1 inch across and positioned about 1 inch apart. This side is to be placed against the head.

FIG. 3 depicts a rear view of the backside 30, which is now covered with padding or cushioning material such as carpeting.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the device of the present invention showing the front side 42 and the backside padding material 40.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a user 50 having the device of the present invention 51, without attachment devices and the front side 53. Weight/heavy object 54 is shown on the device, impacting the protection device.

Those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains may make modifications resulting in other embodiments employing principles of the present invention without departing from its spirit or characteristics, particularly upon considering the foregoing teachings. Accordingly, the described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative, and not restrictive, and the scope of the present invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description or drawings. Consequently, while the present invention has been described with reference to particular embodiments, modifications of structure, sequence, materials, and the like apparent to those skilled in the art still fall within the scope of the invention as claimed by the applicant. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A protection device for attachment to or for use on at least a portion of the head of a user, using a weight/heavy object near the user's head comprising: a) a two-sided base having a front side and a backside; b) the font side of the base comprising an impact resistant polymer; c) the back side of the base covered with a padding material; and d) wherein the device is designed to fit on the head of the user.
 2. The protection device according to claim 1 wherein the base is designed to fit on a face of the user.
 3. The protection device according to claim 1 wherein the two-sided base is designed to fit over the entire head of the user.
 4. The protection device according to claim 1 wherein there are cut-outs for eyes, nose, and mouth on the device.
 5. The protection device according to claim 1 wherein there is an attachment device for mounting the device on the head of the user.
 6. The protection device according to claim 5 wherein the attachment device is an elastic strap.
 7. The protection device according to claim 1 wherein there are other devices attached to the protection device.
 8. The protection device according to claim 1 wherein the user is a weight lifter. 